Bill would let doctors refuse to do abortions if Legislature OKs

Arizona pharmacists who cite a moral objection could refuse to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception, according to legislation introduced this week at the state Capitol.

Similarly, the proposal - House Bill 2564 - would allow any hospital worker or health professional to refuse to participate in an abortion or dispense medication to abort a pregnancy.

For advocates of the legislation such as Ron Johnson of the Arizona Catholic Conference, it's a matter of "rights of conscience" for the health-care workers.

But opponents argue that the bill would place women at risk - especially in rural areas where pharmaceutical options are few and with emergency contraceptives that must be administered within 72 hours of unprotected sex.

"Women have far fewer options, especially when you're talking about rural areas," said House Minority Leader David Lujan, D-Phoenix. "As pharmacists, they have a professional duty. It's an issue of women's health and safety."

The prime sponsor of the legislation, state Rep. Nancy Barto, downplayed any hurdles the provision would represent.

"Certainly, people in rural areas are accustomed to traveling long distances for services," said Barto, R-Phoenix. "This isn't going to keep women from receiving these prescriptions."

Barto's legislation combines provisions from a handful of anti-abortion bills vetoed by former Gov. Janet Napolitano in past years. Among them, the proposal would:

• Require that minors seeking an abortion first receive written, notarized consent from a parent or guardian.

• Mandate a 24-hour "reflection period" before any adult woman could undergo the procedure.

• Bar any individual who is not a physician from performing a surgical abortion.

"We believe these are very common-sense, middle-of-the-road ideals that most Arizonans agree with," Johnson said.

Barto's proposal also would require the informed consent of any adult seeking an abortion.

That means the patient would have to be informed of alternatives to abortion, the medical risks associated with both having an abortion and carrying the fetus to term and the probable gestational age and physiological characteristics of their fetus. Also, the woman would have to be told of medical benefits and government assistance available pre- and post-natal.

"You don't need the Legislature to tell doctors how to help women with their medical health," said Pam Grissom, chairwoman of the board for a Tucson-based abortion-rights group known as Arizona List. "I think they're treating women like they don't have a brain of their own."

Barto suggested that, in many cases, women in Arizona inquire about an abortion and undergo the procedure in the same day - often without being told everything they should to make an informed decision.

Does she hope the 24-hour wait will result in a woman having second thoughts about a planned abortion? "Obviously I do," Barto said. "I would love for her to consider the ramifications of that choice."

Abortion opponents in the Legislature frequently found themselves at odds with Napolitano in recent years. The Democrat vetoed at least nine proposals limiting abortion since becoming governor in 2003.

But with Napolitano replaced by Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, Barto expressed hope that this will be the year the abortion restrictions are signed into law.

Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman wouldn't address the specifics of Barto's proposal, except to note that "the governor has a very consistent pro-life track record."